About

$7,160

pledged of $4,200 goal

202

backers

Last summer I was broken up with in a way that wasn’t actually being broken up with, you know how it goes, *~GHOSTED BABY~* After a few days of wallowing in self pity and gummy bears I decided there was a much better way to deal with my mess of emotions. Being a cartoonist, drawing is often how I work through pain. I drew a cartoon about the ridiculousness of my situation, of what he said, and what a god damn idiot he was, and it made me laugh. Then I asked a friend to tell me one of her break up stories. I drew a cartoon about that and she laughed too. And then I thought, what if I had access to strangers’ heartbreak? What if I drew a cartoon for everyone, and we all laughed? Wouldn’t that be so great?

When I opened up submissions for this project, I never could have imagined it would go this far, and this is all in great thanks to you, humans of the internet. You poured your heartbreak out to me and next thing you know, publishers are telling me they want to make it a book!

Broken hearts are stronger together, and laughter is the best medicine. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, But You Could've Done Better is a book of cartoons inspired by your true stories of heartbreak. Yes, this is a funny book, but it's also real. It's a book of love, of pain, and of self discovery.

"I thought I'd wait until you got here to tell you it made me uncomfortable when you said I love you."

When we share our stories of loss, love, and heartbreak, we remind ourselves that we are not alone. After seeing the artwork so many of my submitters responded that they felt better having shared their story, having seen something beautiful made of something ugly. And now I need your help to take this cure across the country.

My publishers Animal Media Group have been so wonderful in bringing this book to life. However, as they are a small indie house, they cannot cover the cost of everything it takes to successfully release, market and promote the book, and neither can I!

So many of you all already made this book possible by sharing your stories with me, so now I am asking you to help me share this book with the world! With your support I will be able to successfully release and promote my very first book of cartoons, produce a storytelling series, and create some very, very fun merchandise.

The Breaking Up Is Hard To Do tour* will not be like any other. This will be a tour of open mics where you can come tell your break up story, get a copy of the book, and hang out with great people! Even more, for every story told live, I will do a live cartoon for them to keep. It's basically the book, but IRL plus swag!

Each stop will be hosted be awesome comedians and artists and will be a space for you to share your heartbreak and laugh through the pain!

The more you can support, the more places the storytelling tour can go. In just one week we reached our initial funding goal, but we're not stopping there! We've added stretch goals to go to more cities, to hear more of your stories. The tour will only be able to travel to these additional cities if we reach our new levels of funding!

Of course it might seem impossible to go to every city in America, but is it virtually impossible? Nope. That's why I'll also be doing the virtual book tour! Become a backer, and you can join in on online hang outs! We will talk about break ups, shit your ex said, and laugh it all off together.

*The tour will launch in New York in early February of 2017 (specific dates will be shared as soon as they are confirmed).

Limited Edition "Nope" Break Up Button

In return, you not only get the pat on the back and good vibes of supporting something beautiful, you also get a whole bunch of COOL STUFF! There are so many great rewards available from me and other amazing artists and communities like Jon-Michael Frank, Matthew Sweet, Scout Durwood, Feminist Fight Club and more!

This will not be possible without you. I thank you so much for your consideration and hope you are able to help me accomplish this great project. And if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out! You can always reach me at cartoonsbyhilary@gmail.com.

Risks and challenges

Of course when planning anything there are always risks, especially when you add in travel. How I face these risk is what sets me aside. I plan on traveling through most of the winter, and we all know weather is a huge factor, and I risk losing money having re-schedule flights and engagements. So of course, I have backup plans for this. Including in the event that I can’t make an event, either setting up a skype conversation from my home so I can answer questions; and even seeing if a colleague or celebrated artist can go in my place in the unfortunate event that I cannot make the event.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $15 or more
About $15

Cartoon Friends + Book Download

In addition to a personalized thank you card, you will receive a set of postcards designed by friends of Cartoons by Hilary! Original art from Jon-Michael Frank, Amy Kurzweil, Jessica Lee Williamson, and more!

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Pledge $20 or more
About $20

Matthew Sweet Sketches + Book Download

Many of you may know my cousin Matthew Sweet from his pivotal albums 'Girlfriend' & '100% Fun'. But if you really know him, you know he loves to sketch and doodle just like me! These original drawings from Matthew were done specifically for this campaign, so grab them fast!

Plus! You'll get the digital download of the book and a written thank you from Ms. Campbell!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

The Book!

That's right! The real book, delivered straight to your door, with a written thank you from Hilary herself! This book is the perfect gift to yourself, to your friend, to your mom, to anyone who needs a reminder that every day, somewhere, someone is being broken up with.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $35 or more
About $35

The Book + Swag!

Not only will you receive a brand spankin' new copy of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, you will also get a button and sticker designed by Hilary! And of course, a written thank you, because you are awesome.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

NYC Book Launch + Storytelling Event!

Do you live in New York City? Your support will get you 2 tickets to the book tour launch party! Come celebrate the book, hear true tales of heartbreak, & maybe even share yours. This open mic night will be hosted by comedian Michela Ratto with many other hilarious special guests!

+Not only will you receive a copy of the book in person, when you meet with Hilary, you will also get the Breaking Up button and tote bag!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

SF Tour Stop + Storytelling Event!

Do you live in San Francisco? Your support will get you 2 tickets to the Breaking Up Open Mic Night! Come celebrate the book, hear true tales of heartbreak, & maybe even share yours. Hosts & Special Guests TBD, but you know they'll be good!

+Not only will you receive a copy of the book in person, when you meet with Hilary, you will also get the Breaking Up button and tote bag!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

LA Tour Stop + Storytelling Event!

Do you live in Los Angeles? You support will get you 2 tickets to the Breaking Up Open Mic Night, hosted by comedian Vivian Martinez! Come celebrate the book, hear true tales of heartbreak, & maybe even share yours.

+Not only will you receive a copy of the book in person, when you meet with Hilary, you will also get the Breaking Up button and tote bag!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Virtual Book Tour Stop!

Don’t live in one of the cities on the book tour? No sweat! Join Hilary in a group Skype hang-out*, that will be not unlike the book tour! Everyone will drink, talk about being dumped, and inevitably feel better.

+Not only will you receive a copy of the book, you will also get the Breaking Up button and tote bag!

*3 different virtual hang-outs will be available, with only 10 slots available in each! Get this fast before it’s gone!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $125 or more
About $125

Everything + Personalized Voicemail!

If you’re anything like me, you wish people left you more voicemails, but everyone will be leaving you a message when Scout Durwood AKA Lady Scoutington AKA co-star of MTV’s Mary + Jane records your personal voicemail for you!

+ Signed book with cartoon inside, art print, & if you live in a city stop on the book tour, you will be added to the guest list!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

Merch Lovers!

What a STEAL! Your generous donation will get you a signed book with a cartoon of your choice inside, an art print, plus the limited edition Breaking Up swag bag. A tote filled with buttons! stickers! temporary tatts!

+ If you live in a city stop on the book tour, you will be added to the guest list!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

Cartoon Lovers!

In addition to a signed copy of the book with a cartoon of your choice inside, art print, swag bag and personalized thank you card, you will receive a collection of books of Hilary’s favorite cartoonists. Includes art from Charles Schulz, Jon-Michael Frank, Liza Donnelly and more!

+ If you live in a city stop on the book tour, you will be added to the guest list!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $275 or more
About $275

Get Cartooned + Everything Else

In addition to a signed copy of the book with a cartoon of your choice inside, art print, tote bag, button, sticker and personalized thank you card, Hilary will draw YOU! Your grandkids will cherish this, some day.

Additionally, if you live in a city stop on the book tour, you will be added to the guest list to guarantee entrance to the book signing!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $275 or more
About $275

Personalized Cartoon + Everything Else!

In addition to a signed copy of the book with a cartoon of your choice inside, art print, swag bag & personalized thank you card, Hilary will draw will draw a cartoon based on your life! This could be about you, your family, your mother, your ex!

+ If you live in a city stop on the book tour, you will be added to the guest list!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $350 or more
About $350

Feminist Fight Club: IRL Member

The Feminist as FUCK level! Your donation will get you a signed copy of Jessica Bennett's critically acclaimed Feminist Fight Club as well as limited edition FFC trading cards & buttons, the internet famous "PUSSY GRABS BACK" t-shirt, and a canvas painting of one of Hilary's FFC cartoons (Your choice!).

In addition, you will also receive a signed copy of the book with a drawing inside, a tote bag, button, and sticker! And if you live in a city stop on the book tour, you will be added to the guest list to guarantee entrance to the book signing!